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Getting To Brunei Darussalam
By Air
By Sea
By Road

By Air
Brunei Darussalam's national airline is Royal Brunei Darussalam Airlines (BI) and they fly to Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Bali, Beijing, Brisbane (four times a week), Calcutta, Darwin (twice a week), Dubai, Frankfurt/M, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Jeddah, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur (daily), Kuching, Kuwait, London (daily), Manila, Perth (three times a week), Singapore, Surabaya and Taipei. Other air carriers to Brunei Darussalam include: Malaysia Airlines, Philippines Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai International.

Approximate flight times: From Brunei Darussalam to London is 17 hours, to Los Angeles is 18 hours 30 minutes (which includes a stopover in Hong Kong), to New York is 23 hours 20 minutes (including stopover in Hong Kong), to Singapore is 2 hours and to Sydney is 12 hours 40 minutes (including a stopover in Perth).

The international airport of Bandar Seri Begawan (BWN) is about 7 miles south of the city. Airport facilities include a bank, bureaux de change, car hire (Avis, Hertz and National Car Systems), duty-free shops, post office, restaurants and shops. Taxi services are available to the city. They normally add a surcharge after 2200. Lower rates are charged by taxis leaving from the airport car park. There is a departure tax of Br$5 for flights to Singapore or Malaysia and Br$12 for all other destinations.

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By Sea
There are ports at Muara and Kuala Belait and these are the entry points for sea cargo. There are passenger services between Singapore and Muara port. Ships and water taxis run a service between Bandar Seri Begawan and the Malay city of Labuan (Sabah).

By Road
There are access roads into Brunei Darussalam from Sarawak at various locations, although some are unpaved.

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Getting Around In Brunei Darussalam
There are no internal air services in Brunei Darussalam and you will have to depend upon land transportation and water taxi services.
By Road
By Water Taxi


By Road
There are approximately 1,080 miles of roads in the country with the best-developed road network in the Brunei Darussalam-Muara district, including a coastal highway which runs from Muara to Jerudong and then on to Tutong. Traffic drives on the left. 

Bus - Services operate to Seria (57 miles) from Bandar Seri Begawan), Kuala Belait (0 miles) from Seria), Tutong (30 miles) from Bandar Seri Begawan) and Muara (7 miles) from Bandar Seri Begawan). The city bus system is well maintained and inexpensive and there is a bus station in the town

Car Rental - Rental cars (Self-drive or chauffeur-driven) are available at the airport and major hotels. It is important to specify whether an air-conditioned car is required. An International Driving Permit is required to hire a car. A temporary license to drive in Brunei Darussalam is available on presentation of a valid driving license from the visitor's country of origin.

Taxis - You can find taxis available in Bandar Seri Begawan. Fares are usually metered. If not they should be agreed before the journey. There is a 50 per cent surcharge after 2300. Tipping is not necessary.

By Water Taxi
There are water taxi services to Kampong Ayer, with stations at Jalan Kianggeh and Jalan McArthur. Water taxis are the most common form of transport in Kampong Ayer, which is Brunei Darussalam's renowned water village. Regular water taxi and boat services also ply between Bandar Seri Begawan and Bangar (in Temburong), Limbang (in Sarawak), Labuan and some towns in the Malaysian state of Sabah. Water taxi fares are almost always negotiable.

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Cities and Towns In Brunei Darussalam Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com To Top

Some Things To See And Do In Brunei Darussalam
Tourist sights in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital, include the minaret crowning the golden-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque and the Churchill Memorial, incorporating the Churchill Museum and Aquarium. Outside the capital, it is possible to travel up river to visit village settlements, such as the Kampong Parit Resort. Kampong Ayer, a water village, is reputed to be the largest collection of stilt habitations in the world.

Water sports, such as swimming, sailing, jet skiing, skin-diving and fishing are quite popular, especially around Brunei Darussalam Bay and its islands. One place, Encounter Borneo (tel: (2) 234 280 or 234 281; fax (2) 232 544) offers scuba diving training and certification at a five star accredited center along with a sailing school, water-skiing and wake boarding courses. You can find out more about water activities and such from your hotel.

The Mentiri Golf Club has a good, international standard, 18-hole, par 72 golf course. There are also facilities for watching or participating in tennis, polo, football and hockey.

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Some Suggestions For Accommodations In Brunei Darussalam

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Some Suggestions For Dining In Brunei Darussalam
Local food is similar to Malay cuisine with fresh fish and rice and often quite spicy. European food is served in most hotel restaurants, along with Malaysian, Chinese and Indian dishes. Local food is similar to Malay cuisine with fresh fish and rice, often quite spicy. 

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated and water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or sterilized. Milk is unpasteurized and should also be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available, but should be reconstituted with pure water. I would suggest avoiding all dairy products. 

Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Alcohol is prohibited

Tipping: Most hotels and restaurants add 10 per cent to the bill.

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Some Favorites In Brunei Darussalam
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com

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Some Interesting Links For Brunei Darussalam

Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.

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